Feng Tang: Principles about running and writing

In the previous article "Let Yourself and Your Body Do Your Best", I read Feng Tang discussing some of his thoughts on running, and I was particularly impressed. Coincidentally, in the Murakami RADIO a few days ago, I also discovered some of Murakami Haruki’s insights on running. I increasingly feel that the reason why writers have their own theories on the relationship between exercise and writing is because they have all benefited from running.

Therefore, for those of you who want to keep writing, you might as well consider that in addition to reading and writing every day, you should also take some time to go out for a run. Next, let’s take a look at Feng Tang’s five principles of running.

First, dare to start. As with writing, the hardest part is getting started. The beginning is half the battle, squeeze out an hour, push yourself, put down your phone, go for a run in the wind, the wind will hug you. (The wind will hug you! I have to say that Feng Tang’s idea is very romantic.)

Second, you must persist. And just like writing, when you don’t want to continue, just hold on. In all cases, holding on a little longer makes it easier and easier for us. According to various gods, if you want to have any effect, it will take at least half an hour, preferably an hour.

Third, forget about winning or losing. Just like writing, there is no winning or losing. Don’t compete with the world, don’t compete with others, and don’t compete with yourself. The result of the dispute may be a moment of awesomeness, or it may be a cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accident, the latter causing much greater lasting impact. (Feng Tang analyzed this issue from a medical perspective, which made people suddenly enlightened.)

Fourth, enjoy growth. After I started running, I quickly discovered that gradually, one thousand meters was no longer a problem; gradually, three thousand meters was no longer a problem; gradually, ten thousand meters was no longer a problem.

The body is very mean. If you give it enough time to adapt, it can do a lot of things that you can’t think of. It’s the same as writing, one book every three years. You start writing when you’re a teenager, and by the time you’re forty or fifty, you’ve finished ten books.

Fifth, there is no ultimate. And just like writing, it involves the ultimate thing, listening to God and following orders. Let yourself and your body do your best, and don’t think about other things. Thinking too much is useless and will only increase worries.

After listing the above principles, Feng Tang also talked about the benefits that running brings to him. In addition to smoothing the mood, eliminating worries, facilitating sleep, improving appetite, and maintaining a good body shape, it can also make people feel better. Feel more keenly and get into writing state faster and better.

He specifically mentioned that long-term writing "reminds me" time and time again that I can't do it without running. After writing 5,000 words in one day, if I don’t run for an hour, I won’t be able to write any jumping paragraphs or sentences the next day. He said that during the Spring Festival after he turned 40, he only did three sports: writing, running, and eating with his parents and listening to them yell at each other.

Next, let’s take a look at Haruki Murakami’s discussion on the relationship between running and writing. He said that when he first started running, there were no writers running, so he was laughed at by many people at the time. Society has begun to change recently, and writers have started running, so he is very happy. Haruki Murakami also mentioned that while running in New York's Central Park in 1984, he chatted with his idol John Irving while running and completed an interview with the idol.

His final conclusion is: physical ability is really important, especially when it comes to writing. If a person's lower body is well-exercised, the upper body will be very soft, and the article will be written well. In addition, if a person does not exercise and sits in a chair writing all day long, it is impossible to concentrate.

I don’t know whether the discussion between the two writers on the relationship between running and writing is inspiring to others. For me, it is deeply felt. When my mind is confused, when I feel depressed, when I am physically and mentally exhausted but have trouble falling asleep... I often let my body move.

Whether it is running or walking, after 40 minutes at most, your overall condition will improve. If you put yourself into writing at this time, your ideas will be particularly good. Therefore, I also want to say sincerely: running, thank you.